[0001] The instant invention pertains to stabilized monomer compositions, in particular
to compositions containing ethylenically unsaturated monomers, stabilized against
premature polymerization.
[0002] The ethylenically unsaturated compounds which can be polymerized by free radical
initiation are commonly called monomers. They constitute a major class of industrial
chemicals. Because of the presence of the polymerizable double bond, the widespread
sources of initiating radicals from peroxides, light and/or thermal generation, such
monomers are prone to undesirable and premature polymerization at various stages during
their manufacture, purification, storage, shipping, blending and use. Protection of
such monomers from such premature polymerization is needed up to the point where polymerization
is actually desired. If premature polymerization does occur, the monomer may suffer
contamination by polymer, troublesome increase in viscosity, gelation and/or loss
of reactivity. Fouling of distillation equipment including heat exchanger surfaces,
storage vessels, transfer lines, pumps, shipping containers and application equipment
can occur with ensuing costs of cleaning, downtime, loss of material and unnecessary
labor costs. A particularly difficult situation is the preparation of polyol acrylates
from polyols and acrylic acid since prolonged heating periods are required to complete
the esterification. Premature polymerization can also constitute a safety hazard since
uncontrolled exothermic polymerization can cause ruptured vessels, atmospheric contamination,
and in extreme cases, explosions and fires. Deterioration of monomers in shipping
and storage may also make necessary the use of costly refrigerated shipping and storage
facilities.
[0003] A further problem is that of undesired polymerization of adventitious monomers, that
is, radically-polymerizable unsaturated monomers which occur in commercial products
such as hydrocarbon fuels and refinery streams. In these cases, polymerization accompanied
by the incorporation of oxygen moieties leads to gum and sludge deposits which can
foul carburators, engines, fuel tanks or fuel lines. In refineries, the adventitious
monomers in hydrocarbon streams such as cracking products can foul pipelines, valves,
pumps, heat exchangers, stills and storage vessels.
[0004] Another problem in regard to undesired polymerization of free radical polymerizable
monomers is the case of polymerizations which are intentional, but which must be prevented
from going too far. For example, the quality of poly(vinyl chloride) suspension polymer
and of synthetic rubber made from olefins and dienes is superior (i.e. better molecular
weight distribution, stability, and processing properties) if the polymerization is
stopped short of complete consumption of the monomers. It is also desirable to have
available in a plant conducting vinyl polymerization reactions some rapid and efficient
means for stopping a runaway polymerization if other means such as cooling should
fail.
[0005] It is known that the addition of certain compounds to monomers can retard or even
prevent their undesired polymerization, and that when polymerization of the monomer
is desired, the inhibitor can be removed or overridden by a deliberately-added polymerization
initiator. Various aromatic compounds have been used as such inhibitors in the prior
art. Typical ones are hydroquinone, monomethyl ether of hydroquinone (MEHQ), tert-butylphenols,
phenothiazine, phenylenediamines and benzoquinones. These are usually used at a level
of 50 to 1000 ppm. These inhibitors are not totally effective and even with such inhibitors
present, it is often advisable to store such inhibited monomers in a cool place and
for limited periods of time. Moreover, these aromatic inhibitors are a cause of serious
discoloration problems in the monomers and in polymers deliberately prepared from
such monomers. Typically these aromatic inhibitors produce quinoidal chromophoric
groups with very high visible light absorbance. The use of stable nitroxyl radicals
as inhibitors also leads to discoloration since such compounds are themselves highly
colored, usually bright red.
[0006] In order to overcome these color problems, a diligent search was made to find alternative
inhibitors which are both effective and not discoloring. This search led to the N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines
and the N,N-diaralkylhydroxylamines. Some typical references are cited infra.
[0007] US-A-3,222,334 and US-A-3,878,181 disclose the use of N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines such
as N,N-diethylhydroxylamine as short-stopping agents for emulsion polymerizations
of butadiene/styrene rubber and chloroprene.
[0008] US-A-3,148,225 and US-A-3,697,470 disclose the use of N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines such
as N,N-diethylhydroxylamine and N-alkyl-N-arylhydroxylamine such as N-ethyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine
respectively as short-stopping agents and popcorn polymer inhibitors in processes
for preparing synthetic rubber. The popcorn polymer formation is a serious problem
encountered in recovering of monomers from such synthetic rubber operations.
[0009] US-A-4,782,105 teaches the use of long chain N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines as stabilizers
to prevent the premature gelation of unsaturated elastomer compositions such as styrene/butadiene
copolymers or polybutadiene.
[0010] US-A-3,408,422 describes the use of N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines such as N,N-diethylhydroxylamine
and N,N-diaralkylhydroxylamines such as N,N-dibenzylhydroxylamine as stabilizers for
preventing the premature gelation of unsaturated polyesters.
[0011] US-A-4,798,889 teaches the use of N,N-dialkylhydroxylamines such as N,N-diethylhydroxylamine
or N,N-dibenzylhydroxylamine as stabilizers to reduce the thermal polymerization of
organosiloxanes substituted by ethylenically unsaturated moieties.
[0012] US-A-4,409,408 and US-A-4,434,307 disclose the use of N,N-dibenzylhydroxylamine in
combination with an alkylated diphenol (catechol or hydroquinone) as inhibitors to
prevent the polymerization of styrene.
[0013] The use of stable nitroxyl radicals including those derived from hindered amine moieties
has also been disclosed. Typical references are cited below.
[0014] SU-A-1,139,722 describes the inhibition of styrene and comonomers such as butadiene
using 1-oxyl derivatives of hindered amine compounds such as N,N′-bis-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)adipamide.
The elimination of popcorn polymer and of the clogging of equipment is touted as the
result of using such 1-oxyl compounds.
[0015] JP-A-60-36501 describes the use of hindered amines and their 1-oxyl and 1-alkyl derivatives
as vinyl polymerization inhibitors to improve storage stability of monomers such as
acrylate and methacrylate esters.
[0016] EP-A-178,168 and GB-A-1,127,127 describe the use of 1-oxyl substituted hindered amine
compounds as stabilizers for inhibiting the polymerization of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated
monocarboxylic acids, such as acrylic acid, during its recovery by distillation.
[0017] US-A-4,670, 131 teaches the use of 1-oxyl substituted hindered amine compounds as
stabilizers for preventing the fouling of equipment for processing organic feed streams
containing olefins by inhibiting the polymerization of said olefins.
[0018] In a theoretical study of the inhibiting effects of selected hindered amine compounds,
Y. Miura et al., Makromol. Chem.
160, 243 (1972) disclose that 1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one is highly effective
in retarding the onset of the polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate. By
contrast, the corresponding 1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one is stated
to have no effect in delaying the polymerization of styrene and only a weak retarding
effect on said polymerization once begun.
[0019] US-A-4,668,721 and US-A-4,691,015 disclose the use of 1-hydroxy substituted hindered
amine compounds as stabilizers for polyolefin compositions in combination with one
or more other stabilizers such as phenolic antioxidants, ultraviolet light absorbers
and the like.
[0020] None of these references describes or suggests that 1-hydroxy substituted hindered
amine compounds are or could possibly be effective inhibitors to prevent the premature
polymerization of monomers in either the liquid or vapor phase.
[0021] It is the broad object of the invention to provide monomer compositions inhibited
against undesired and premature polymerization by means of small, but effective amounts
of selected additives which do not impart undesired color to the monomer compositions.
[0022] It is a further object of the invention to provide inhibited monomer compositions
which have substantially improved stability relative to compositions inhibited by
methods known in the prior art.
[0023] It is a further object of the invention to provide a means for short-stopping or
retarding polymerization of monomers once polymerization is started.
[0024] It is a further object of the invention to provide effective inhibitors for monomers
known to be difficult to inhibit such as acrylic acid.
[0025] It still a further object of the invention to provide highly effective combinations
of inhibitors for said monomers.
[0026] The invention pertains to a monomer composition, stabilized against premature polymerization,
which comprises
(a) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or mixture of monomers, polymerizable by
free radical initiation, and
(b) an effective amount, sufficient to inhibit the premature polymerization of component
(a), of a compound or mixture of compounds of any of formula I to XV, and salts thereof,

wherein
G₁ and G₂ are independently alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, or
G₁ and G₂ together are pentamethylene;
n is 1 or 2,
when n is 1,
R is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈-alkyl optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms,
cyanoethyl, benzyl, glycidyl, a monovalent acyl radical of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic,
araliphatic or aromatic acid, or of carbamic acid or of a phosphorus-containing acid,
or a monovalent silyl radical, preferably an acyl radical of an aliphatic carboxylic
acid having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, of a cycloaliphatic acid having 5 to 12 carbon atoms
or of an aromatic carboxylic acid having 7 to 15 carbon atoms, or of carbamic acid;
or
when n is 2,
R is C₁-C₁₂-alkylene, C₄-C₁₂-alkenylene, xylylene, a divalent acyl radical of an
aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid, or of a dicarbamic
acid or of a phosphorus-containing acid, or a bivalent silyl radical, preferably an
acyl radical of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 2 to 36 carbon atoms, of a cycloaliphatic
or aromatic dicarboxylic acid having 8 to 14 carbon atoms, or of a aromatic dicarbamic
acid having 8 to 14 carbon atoms;
p is 1, 2 or 3,
R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₇-C₈-aralkyl, C₂-C₁₈-alkanoyl,
C₃-C₅-alkenoyl or benzoyl;
when p is 1,
R₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl unsubstituted or
substituted by a cyano, carbonyl or carbamide group, or is glycidyl, a group of the
formula -CH₂CH(OH)-Z or of the formula -CONH-Z wherein Z is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl;
or
when p is 2,
R₂ is C₂-C₁₂-alkylene, C₆-C₁₂-arylene, xylylene, a -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-O-X-O-CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-
wherein X is C₂-C₁₀-alkylene, C₆-C₁₅-arylene or C₆-C₁₂-cycloalkylene; or, provided
that R₁ is not alkanoyl, alkenoyl or benzoyl, R₂ can also be a divalent acyl radical
of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid or dicarbamic acid,
or can be the group -CO-; or R₁ and R₂ together when p is 1 can be the cyclic acyl
radical of an aliphatic or aromatic 1,2- or 1,3-dicarboxylic acid; or
R₂ is

where T₇ and T₈ are independently hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or T₇ and
T₈ together are alkylene of 4 to 6 carbon atoms or 3-oxapentamethylene, preferably
T₇ and T₈ are 3-oxapentamethylene;
when p is 3,
R₂ is 2,4,6-triazinyl;
when n is 1,
R₃ is C₂-C₈-alkylene or hydroxyalkylene or C₄-C₂₂-acyloxyalkylene; or
when n is 2,
R₄ is (-CH₂)₂C(CH₂₋)₂;
when n is 1,
R₄ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, C₃-C₅-alkenyl, C₇-C₉-aralkyl, C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₂-C₄-hydroxyalkyl,
C₂-C₆-alkoxyalkyl, C₆-C₁₀-aryl, glycidyl, a group of formula -(CH₂)
m-COO-Q or of the formula -(CH₂)
m-O-CO-Q wherein m is 1 or 2 and Q is C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl; or
when n is 2,
R₄ is C₂-C₁₂-alkylene, C₆-C₁₂-arylene, a group -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-O-X-O-CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-
wherein X is C₂-C₁₀-alkylene, C₆-C₁₅-arylene or C₆-C₁₂-cycloalkylene, or a group -CH₂CH(OZ₁)CH₂-(OCH₂CH(OZ₁)CH₂)₂-
wherein Z₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, allyl, benzyl, C₂-C₁₂-alkanoyl or benzoyl;
R₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, allyl, benzyl, glycidyl or C₂-C₆-alkoxyalkyl;
Q₁ is -N(R₇)- or -O-;
E is C₁-C₃-alkylene, the group -CH₂CH(R₈)-O- wherein R₈ is hydrogen, methyl or
phenyl, the group -(CH₂)₃-NH- or a direct bond;
R₇ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₇-C₁₂-aralkyl, cyanoethyl, C₆-C₁₀-aryl,
the group -CH₂CH(R₈)-OH; or a group of the formula

or a group of the formula

wherein G is C₂-C₆-alkylene or C₆-C₁₂-arylene; or
R₇ is a group -E-CO-NH-CH₂-OR₆;
R₆ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₈-alkyl;
Formula VI denotes a recurring structural unit of a polymer where T is ethylene
or 1,2-propylene, or is a repeating structural unit derived from an α-olefin copolymer
with an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, preferably a copolymer of ethylene and ethyl
acrylate;
k is 2 to 100;
T₁ has the same meaning as R₂ when p is 1 or 2;
M and Y are independently methylene or carbonyl, preferably M is methylene and
Y is carbonyl, and T₁ is ethylene when n is 2;
T₂ has the same meaning as R₄, and T₂ is preferably octamethylene when n is 2,
T₃ and T₄ are independently alkylene of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, of T₄ is

T₆ is

where a, b and c are independently 2 or 3, and d is 0 or 1, preferably a and c
are each 3, b is 2 and d is 1;
e is 3 or 4, preferably 4;
T₅ is the same as R with the proviso that T₅ cannot be hydrogen when n is 1;
E₁ and E₂ being different, are each oxo or imino, preferably E₁ is oxo and E₂ is
-N(E₅)- where E₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl or alkoxycarbonylalkyl of 4 to 22 carbon
atoms;
E₃ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, phenyl, naphthyl, said phenyl or
said naphthyl substituted by chlorine or by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or phenylalkyl
of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, or said phenylalkyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon
atoms; and
E₄ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, phenyl, naphthyl or phenylalkyl
of 7 to 12 carbon atoms; or
E₃ and E₄ together are polymethylene of 4 to 17 carbon atoms, or said polymethylene
substituted by up to four alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl.
[0027] The monomers of component (a) of this invention are any having at least one carbon-carbon
double bond capable of undergoing free radical induced polymerization. Such monomers
are well known in commerce and comprise a wide variety of structural types. Typical
examples of such monomers are the olefinic hydrocarbons such as styrene, α-methylstyrene
and divinylbenzene; dienes such as butadiene and isoprene; halogenated monomers such
as vinyl chloride, chloroprene, vinylidene chloride, vinylidene fluoride and vinyl
fluoride; unsaturated acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and crotonic acid;
unsaturated esters such as vinyl acetate, alkyl acrylates and alkyl methacrylates
such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate
and methacrylate, ethylene bismethacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, acrylated
epoxy resin and polyethylene glycol diacrylate; unsaturated amides such as acrylamide,
N,N-dimethylacrylamide, methylene-bisacrylamide and N-vinylpyrrolidone; unsaturated
nitrile monomers such as acrylonitrile; and unsaturated ethers such as methyl vinyl
ether, and miscellaneous monomers such as the vinyl pyridines, diethyl vinylphosphonate
and sodium styrenesulfonate.
[0028] The instant invention also pertains to the use of mixtures of said monomers and to
the use of resins such as acrylate-terminated polyurethanes and unsaturated polyesters.
The common feature making all of these materials relevant to the present invention
is the presence of a polymerizable double bond.
[0029] Also in the category of monomers are unsaturated oils such as drying oils like linseed
oil, where polymerization also incorporates oxygen. There are also adventitious monomers
formed in refining processes, for example polymerizable olefinic unsaturation in gasoline,
jet fuel, solvents, crude oil and cracked hydrocarbon streams. The common feature
of all of these substances is encompassed in the broad term "monomers" and all are
contemplated to be within the scope of instant component (a). Polymerization of such
materials is often accompanied by autooxidation.
[0030] The acrylates, particularly acrylic acid itself, are unusually difficult to inhibit
beacuse of their inherent high polymerizability. The instant compounds are shown to
be particularly effective in inhibiting acrylic acid from premature polymerization.
[0031] Preferably component (a) is a monomer selected from the group consisting of the olefinic
hydrocarbons, dienes, halogenated monomers, unsaturated acids, unsaturated esters,
unsaturated amides, unsaturated nitriles, unsaturated ethers, acrylated urethanes
and unsaturated polyesters and mixtures thereof.
[0032] Most preferably the monomer of component (a) is styrene, butadiene, vinyl chloride,
acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl acetate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl
methacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate or methyl
methacrylate.
[0033] Still more preferably the monomer is styrene, butadiene, acrylic acid or methacrylic
acid.
[0034] The hydroxylamine derivatives useful in the instant invention are denoted by the
various structures of formulas I to XV. Most of these hydroxylamine derivatives are
known compounds. The instant hydroxylamine derivatives can be easily prepared from
the corresponding hindered amine many of which are commerically available or which
can be made by known procedures. Particularly preferred derivatives are those of formula
I, II, VII and XIV, preferably of formula I. Further preferred derivatives are
N-(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) caprolactam;
bis(1 -hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate;
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl benzoate;
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl acrylate;
1,4-dihydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine;
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate;
4,4′-ethylenebis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperazin-3-one);
1 -hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl stearate;
bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) o-phthalate;
bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylbutyl-malonate;
bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) n-butylmalonate;
2,10-di-tert-butyl-4,8-dimethyl-6-(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)dibenzo[d,g][1,3,2]dioxaphosphocin;
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl 2-ethylhexanoate;
dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic salt of bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)
sebacate;
the phosphorus acid salt of bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate;
and
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one.
[0035] The hydroxylamine derivative may generally be prepared by oxidizing a hindered amine
with a peroxy compound such as hydrogen peroxide followed by reduction of the oxyl
intermediate formed to the desired hydroxylamine derivative. Such a process is taught
in U.S. Patent No. 4,665,185.
[0036] If any of the substitutents are C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, they are for example methyl, ethyl,
n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-amyl, tert-amyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl,
2-ethylhexyl, tert-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl or n-dodecyl. As C₁-C₁₈-alkyl,
R can be the aforementioned groups, and in addition for example n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl,
n-hexadecyl or n-octadecyl.
[0037] If R is a monovalent acyl radical of a carboxylic acid, it is for example an acyl
radical of acetic acid, stearic acid, salicylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid,
maleic acid, benzoic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid or 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamic
acid.
[0038] If R is a divalent acyl radical of a dicarboxylic acid, it is for example an acyl
radical of adipic acid, succinic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, o-phthalic acid,
butylmalonic acid, dibutylmalonic acid, dibenzylmalonic acid, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylbutylmalonic
acid or bicycloheptene dicarboxylic acid.
[0039] If R is a divalent acyl radical of a dicarbamic acid, it is for example an acyl radical
of hexamethylenedicarbamic acid or 2,4-toluylenedicarbamic acid.
[0040] R is also an acyl radical of a phosphorus-containing acid of the formula

wherein L is a direct bond, methylene or alkylidene of 2 to 6 carbon atoms such as
ethylidene, butylidene or amylidene. Preferably L is a direct bond, methylene or ethylidene.
[0041] G₃ and G₄ are independently alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl or tert-butyl.
Most preferably G₃ and G₄ are each tert-butyl, or G₃ is tert-butyl and G₄ is methyl.
[0042] If any substituents are C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, they are in particular cyclohexyl.
[0043] As C₇-C₈-aralkyl, R₁ is phenethyl and especially benzyl.
[0044] As C₂-C₁₈-alkanoyl, R₁ is for example propionyl, butyryl, octanoyl, lauroyl, hexadecanoyl,
octadecanoyl, but especially acetyl; and as C₃-C₅-alkenoyl, R₁ is in particular acryloyl.
[0045] If R₂ is C₂-C₈-alkenyl unsubsbtuted or substituted by a cyano, carbonyl or carbamide
group, it is for example 1-propenyl, allyl, methallyl, 2-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl,
2-octenyl, 2,2-dicyanovinyl, 1-methyl-2-cyano-2-methoxycarbonyl-vinyl or 2,2-diacetylaminovinyl.
[0046] When R₁ and R₂ are together a cyclic acyl radical, they are especially -CO-(CH₂)₅-.
[0047] If any substituents are C₂-C₁₂-alkylene, they are for example ethylene, propylene,
2,2,-dimethylpropylene, tetramethylene, hexamethylene, octamethylene, decamethylene
or dodecamethylene.
[0048] If any substituents are C₆-C₁₅-arylene, they are for example o-, m- or p-phenylene,
1,4-naphthylene or 4,4′-diphenylene.
[0049] As C₆-C₁₂-cycloalkylene, X is especially cyclohexylene.
[0050] If R₃ is C₂-C₈-alkylene or hydroxyalkylene, it is for example ethylene, 1-methyl-ethylene,
propylene, 2-ethylpropylene or 2-ethyl-2 hydroxymethylpropylene.
[0051] As C₄-C₂₂acyloxyalkylene, R₃ is for example 2-ethyl-2-acetoxymethyl-propylene.
[0052] If any substituents are C₂-C₆-alkoxyalkyl, they are example methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl,
propoxymethyl, tert-butoxymethyl, ethoxyethyl, ethoxypropyl, n-butoxyethyl, tert-butoxyethyl,
isopropoxyethyl or propoxypropyl.
[0053] If R₄ is C₃-C₅-alkenyl, it is for example 1-propenyl, allyl, methallyl, 2-butenyl
or 2-pentenyl.
[0054] As C₇-C₉-aralkyl, R₄ is phenethyl or especially benzyl; and as C₅-C₇-cyclohexyl is
especially cyclohexyl.
[0055] If R₄ is C₂-C₄-hydroxyalkyl, it is for example 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl,
2-hydroxybutyl or 4-hydroxybutyl.
[0056] As C₆-C₁₀-aryl, R₄ is in particular phenyl or α- or β-naphthyl which is unsubstituted
or substituted by halogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl.
[0057] If R₄ is C₂-C₁₂-alkylene, it is for example ethylene, propylene, 2,2-dimethylpropylene,
tetramethylene, hexamethylene, octamethylene, decamethylene or dodecamethylene.
[0058] If R₄ is C₆-C₁₂-arylene, it is for example o-, m- or p-phenylene, 1,4-naphthylene
or 4,4′-diphenylene.
[0059] If Z₁ is C₂-C₁₂-alkanoyl, it is for example propionyl, butyryl, octanoyl, dodecanoyl
or preferably acetyl.
[0060] As C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, R₇ is particularly cyclohexyl.
[0061] As C₆-C₁₀-aryl, R₇ is particularly phenyl or α- or β-naphthyl which is unsubstituted
or substituted with halogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl.
[0062] As C₁-C₃-alkylene, E is for example methylene, ethylene or propylene.
[0063] As C₂-C₆-alkylene, G is for example ethylene, propylene, 2,2-dimethylpropylene, tetramethylene
or hexamethylene; and as C₆-C₁₂-arylene, G is o-, m- or p-phenylene, 1,4-naphthylene
or 4,4′-diphenylene.
[0064] An effective inhibiting amount of an instant compound of this invention needed to
retard or prevent premature free radical induced polymerizabon of a monomer or monomer
mixture is preferably in the range of from 1 to 10000 ppm, based on the total monomer
composition, with the preferred range being 5 to 2000 ppm and the most preferred range
being 50 to 1000 ppm. The lower amounts would be used where the degree of inhibition
required is not great such as when the monomers are to be used promptly, or which
will be stored refrigerated, or which are inherently less prone to polymerize readily
such as monomers with internal double bonds. The higher amounts of inhibitor would
be used where the monomer is to be stored for prolonged periods of time, especially
under relatively warm conditions or where contamination is likely, or where exposure
to photoinitiation is likely, or where the monomer is especially prone to rapid polymerization
with little provocation such as with the acrylates and acrylic acid. Those skilled
in the art of vinyl polymerization are well aware of the relative polymerizability
of monomers and of their relative stabilities.
[0065] The stabilized compositions of this invention are distinguished by their lack of
color.
[0066] The compositions of the instant invention may also contain additional inhibitors,
such as hydroquinone, the monomethyl ether of hydroquinone, phenothiazine (these three
often being required by monomer specifications) or catechol, tert-butylated hydroquinones
or catechols, other alkylated phenols, nitrosophenols, nitrosophenylhydroxylamines,
alkylated phenothiazines, sulfur and hindered cyclic amines or their corresponding
oxyl derivatives.
[0067] The inhibited compositions may also contain metal deactivators and UV absorbers to
improve light stability; or stabilizers such as amines to retard acid-catalyzed degradation;
or thermal or photoinitiators; and other conventional additives.
[0068] When it is desired to subject the inhibited monomer to polymerization, the inhibitor
can either be removed or overridden by sufficient polymerization initiator. Removal
can be accomplished by distillation, absorption or washing with an acidic solution.
It is possible to remove the instant 1-hydroxy derivatives while leaving the phenolic
antioxidants in the monomer by use of acid ion exchange resins. The polymerization
inhibiting action of the instant compounds can be overridden by use of sufficient
free radical initiator, actinic light irradiation, electron beam exposure or other
polymerization initiating means.
[0069] The instant invention also pertains to a process for preventing the premature polymerization
of a monomer polymerizable by free radical initiation which comprises
adding to said monomer (a) an effective amount of a compound of component (b) as
described above. The process of the instant invention involves simply dissolving an
effective inhibiting amount of the inhibitor in the monomer prior to exposure of the
latter to conditions where the premature, undesired free radical initiated polymerization
might occur.
[0070] Preferably, this process comprises
adding 10 to 500 ppm of at least one compound of formula I to XVII to a continuous
fluid feed stream to deactivate the autocatalytic polymerization, in any part of the
continuous process equipment, such as reactor, reboiler, distillation column, etc.,
of any ethylenically unsaturated monomer present in the feed stream, and
further adding to said feed stream an additional 10 ppb to 500 ppm of at least
one compound of formula I to XVII as a makeup additive to maintain the desired concentration
of said compound in the fluid feed stream being processed.
[0071] Preferably, this process is also carried out to prevent the fouling of processing
equipment including reactors, pipes, stills, distillation columns, cracking towers
and heat transfer surfaces during the processing of a monomer polymerizable by free
radical intiation.
[0072] The following examples are presented for the purpose of illustration only and are
not to be construed as limiting the instant invention in any manner whatsoever.
Example 1
[0073] Trimethylolpropane triacrylate is extracted with cold dilute aqueous alkali to remove
the monomethyl ether of hydroquinone which is present as an inhibitor. To 25 g samples
of the uninhibited monomer is added 20 ppm of the test inhibitor and the sample is
then placed in a 28 ml amber bottle in an oven kept at 100°C. The time required for
polymerization as visually observed by the formation of gelled lumps or solid matter
to occur is a measure of the effectiveness of the test inhibitor.

Example 2
[0074] The effect of the presence of the test inhibitor on the yellowness of a cured acrylic
resin is determined by measuring yellowness index (YI). To a mixture of 50% by weight
of epoxy acrylate (CELRAD® 3700, Celanese), 19% by weight of trimethylolpropane triacrylate,
19% by weight of ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate, 10% by weight of polyethylene
glycol (200) diacrylate and 2% by weight of hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone photoinitiator
is added 20 ppm of the test inhibitor. The mixture is coated onto paper and passed
at 10 ft/min (3.05 m/min) under a 200 watt/in medium pressure mercury arc lamp in
a PPG UV Processor at full power.
[0075] The cure is evaluated by a standard surface hardness test method and the presence
of the test inhibitor is found to have no adverse effect on the rate of cure or the
hardness of the cured resin.
[0076] The yellowness index is then determined bu means of an XL-10A Colorimeter (Gardner
Laboratory) using a normal beam and a 3.8 cm orifice. A YI value is obtained immediately
after curing is complete and then again after the cured resin is exposed to an accelerated
weathering device for 24 hours to determine the light stability of the cured resin
in a simulated office environment.

[0077] These data indicate that the presence of the test inhibitor improves the resistance
of the cured resin to yellowing under simulated office lighting conditions.
Example 3
Liquid Phase Inhibition
[0078] Test inhibitors are added at the 10 ppm and at the 100 ppm level into a variety of
unihibited monomers. The monomer containing the test inhibitor is then held at 80°C
in sealed bottles till polymerization of the monomer is observed visually. The time
in hours till polymerization occurs is a measure of the effectiveness of the test
compound as an inhibitor.

[0079] In all the monomers except styrene, 10 ppm of Compound A or Compound B provides significantly
greater polymerization inhibition compared to the unihibited controls.
Example 4
[0080] Using the general method described in Example 3, the relative effectiveness of N-hydroxypiperidines
is measured using methyl methacrylate monomer and 100 ppm of test inhibitor with the
inhibited monomer being placed in sealed bottles at 80°C. The time in hours till gelation
is visually observed is taken as a measure of the inhibition efficacy of the test
compound.

[0081] The data given in the table above show that the 1-hydroxy substituted piperidines
are efficient in polymerization inhibition. Additionally, the 1-hydroxy compounds
are essentially colorless.
Example 5
[0082] Using the general procedure of Example 3 with commerical methyl methacrylate (MMA),
with 10 ppm of monomethyl ether of hydroquinone present as an inhibitor, 100 ppm of
test inhibitors are added to 25 g portions of the MMA in 28 ml bottles. The samples
are placed in an oven at 80°C and the time required for polymerization or gelation
to occur is visually observed.

[0083] Each of these test inhibitors provides excellent polymerization inhibition protection
to the methyl methacrylate monomer.
Example 6
[0084] To assess the effect of the instant test inhibitors on color development in the inhibited
monomer, 3 ml portions of methyl methacrylate containing 100 ppm of the test inhibitor
are placed in clear sealable test tubes. The tubes are sealed and then heated at 80°C
for 100 hours while protected from light. The tubes are then placed in a colorimeter
and the yellowness index (YI) values of the samples are measured. The higher is the
YI value the yellower and more discolored is the sample.

Examples 7-12
Vapor Phase Inhibition
[0085] To 105 g (100 ml) of acrylic acid is added 100 ppm by weight of the instant inhibitors.
This acrylic acid solution is mixed well and then added to a resin kettle whose weight
is known which is fitted with a reflux condenser and nitrogen inlet tube. A stream
of nitrogen at 250 ml/min is used to flush the kettle for 15 minutes. The kettle containing
the acrylic acid is then immersed into a 6-liter oil bath such that the top of the
acrylic acid solution is approximately 5 cm) below the level of the oil surface. The
kettle and its contents are heated at 150°C for 100 minutes causing the acrylic acid
to reflux. White insoluble polymer, commonly called popcorn polymer, is observed to
grow on the walls in the reflux region of the apparatus. The kettle is removed from
the oil bath and cleaned free of oil. The kettle is rinsed with hexane to remove the
acrylic acid monomer and to leave the polymer. The kettle and polymer are dried and
weighed to determine the total amount of polymer collected on the inside wall of the
kettle.

[0086] These data show that the instant compounds are effective in preventing the formation
of popcorn polymer in the vapor phase.
1. A monomer composition, stabilized against premature polymerization, which comprises
(a) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or mixture of monomers, polymerizable by
free radical initiation, and
(b) an effective amount, sufficient to inhibit the premature polymerization of component
(a), of a compound or mixture of compounds of any of formula I to XV, and salts thereof,

wherein
G₁ and G₂ are independently alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or G₁ and G₂ together
are pentamethylene;
n is 1 or 2,
when n is 1,
R is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈-alkyl optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms,
cyanoethyl, benzyl, glycidyl, a monovalent acyl radical of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic,
araliphatic or aromatic acid, or of carbamic acid or of a phosphorus-containing acid,
or a monovalent silyl radical; or
when n is 2,
R is C₁-C₁₂-alkylene, C₄-C₁₂-alkenylene, xylylene, a divalent acyl radical of an
aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid, or of a dicarbamic
acid or of a phosphorus-containing acid, or a bivalent silyl radical;
p is 1, 2 or 3,
R₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₇-C₈-aralkyl, C₂-C₁₈-alkanoyl,
C₃-C₅-alkenoyl or benzoyl;
when p is 1,
R₂ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl unsubstituted or
substituted by a cyano, carbonyl or carbamide group, or is glycidyl, a group of the
formula -CH₂CH(OH)-Z or of the formula -CONH-Z wherein Z is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl;
or
when p is 2,
R₂ is C₂-C₁₂-alkylene, C₆-C₁₂-arylene, xylylene, a -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-O-X-O-CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-
wherein X is C₂-C₁₀-alkylene, C₆-C₁₅-arylene or C₆-C₁₂-cycloalkylene; or, provided
that R₁ is not alkanoyl, alkenoyl or benzoyl, R₂ can also be a divalent acyl radical
of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid or dicarbamic acid,
or can be the group -CO-; or R₁ and R₂ together when p is 1 can be the cyclic acyl
radical of an aliphatic or aromatic 1,2- or 1,3-dicarboxylic acid; or
R₂ is

where T₇ and T₈ are independently hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or T₇
and T₈ together are alkylene of 4 to 6 carbon atoms or 3-oxapentamethylene;
when p is 3,
R₂ is 2,4,6-triazinyl;
when n is 1,
R₃ is C₂-C₈-alkylene or hydroxyalkylene or C₄-C₂₂-acyloxyalkylene; or
when n is 2,
R₃ is (-CH₂)₂C(CH₂-)₂;
when is 1,
R₄ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, C₃-C₅-alkenyl, C₇-C₉-aralkyl, C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₂-C₄-hydroxyalkyl,
C₂-C₆-alkoxyalkyl, C₆-C₁₀-aryl, glycidyl, a group of formula -(CH₂)
m-COO-Q or of the formula -(CH₂)
m-O-CO-Q wherein m is 1 or 2 and Q is C₁-C₄-alkyl or phenyl; or
when n is 2,
R₄ is C₂-C₁₂-alkylene, C₆-C₁₂-arylene, a group -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-O-X-O-CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-
wherein X is C₂-C₁₀-alkylene, C₆-C₁₅-arylene or C₆-C₁₂-cycloalkylene, or a group -CH₂CH(OZ₁)CH₂-(OCH₂CH(OZ₁)CH₂)₂-
wherein Z₁ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, allyl, benzyl, C₂-C₁₂-alkanoyl or benzoyl;
R₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, allyl, benzyl, glycidyl or C₂-C₆-alkoxyalkyl;
Q₁ is -N(R₇)- or -O-;
E is C₁-C₃-alkylene, the group -CH₂CH(R₈)-O- wherein R₈ is hydrogen, methyl or
phenyl, the group -(CH₂)₃-NH- or a direct bond;
R₇ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈-alkyl, C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₇-C₁₂-aralkyl, cyanoethyl, C₆-C₁₀-aryl,
the group -CH₂CH(R₈)-OH; or a group of the formula

or a group of the formula

wherein G is C₂-C₆-alkylene or C₆-C₁₂-arylene; or
R₇ is a group -E-CO-NH-CH₂-OR₆;
R₆ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₈-alkyl;
Formula VI denotes a recurring structural unit of a polymer where T is ethylene
or 1,2-propylene, or is a repeating structural unit derived from an α-olefin copolymer
with an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate;
k is 2 to 100;
T₁ has the same meaning as R₂ when p is 1 or 2;
M and Y are independently methylene or carbonyl;
T₂ has the same meaning as R₄;
T₃ and T₄ are independently alkylene of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, of T₄ is

T₆ is

where a, b and c are independently 2 or 3, and d is 0 or 1;
e is 3 or 4;
T₅ is the same as R with the proviso that T₅ cannot be hydrogen when n is 1;
E₁ and E₂ being different, are each oxo or -N(E₅)- where E₅ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl
or alkoxycarbonylalkyl of 4 to 22 carbon atoms;
E₃ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, phenyl, naphthyl, said phenyl or
said naphthyl substituted by chlorine or by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or phenylalkyl
of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, or said phenylalkyl substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon
atoms; and
E₄ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, phenyl, naphthyl or phenylalkyl
of 7 to 12 carbon atoms; or
E₃ and E₄ together are polymethylene of 4 to 17 carbon atoms, or said polymethylene
substituted by up to four alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the effective amount of component (b) is
1 to 10000 ppm, preferably 5 to 2000 ppm and more preferably 50 to 1000 ppm, based
on the total monomer composition.
3. A composition according to claim 1 wherein component (a) is a monomer selected from
the group consisting of the olefinic hydrocarbons, dienes, halogenated monomers, unsaturated
acids, unsaturated esters, unsaturated amides, unsaturated nitriles, unsaturated ethers,
acrylated urethanes and unsaturated polyesters and mixtures thereof.
4. A composition according to claim 3 wherein the monomer is styrene, butadiene, vinyl
chloride, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl acetate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate,
2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate
or methyl methacrylate.
5. A composition according to claim 4 wherein the monomer is styrene, butadiene, acrylic
acid or methacrylic acid.
6. A composition according to claim 1 wherein component (b) is of formula I, II, VII
or XIV, preferably of formula I.
7. A composition according to claim 1 wherein component (b) is selected from the group
consisting of
N-(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) caprolactam;
bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate;
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl benzoate;
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl acrylate;
1,4-dihydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine;
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate;
4,4′-ethylenebis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperazin-3-one);
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl stearate;
bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) o-phthalate;
bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylbutyl-malonate;
bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) n-butylmalonate;
2,10-di-tert-butyl-4,8-dimethyl-6-(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yloxy)dibenzo[d,g][1,3,2]dioxaphosphocin;
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl 2-ethylhexanoate;
dinonylnaphthalene disulfonic salt of bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)
sebacate;
the phosphorus acid salt of bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) sebacate;
and
1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one.
8. A composition according to claim 1 which additionally contains another stabilizer
selected from the group consisting of hydroquinone, monomethyl ether of hydroquinone
and phenothiazine.
9. A process for preventing the premature polymerization of a monomer polymerizable by
free radical initiation which comprises
adding to said monomer (a) an effective amount of a compound of component (b) according
to claim 1.
10. A process according to claim 9 for preventing the fouling of processing equipment
including reactors, pipes, stills, distillation columns, cracking towers and heat
transfer surfaces during the processing of a monomer polymerizable by free radical
intiation which comprises
adding to said monomer, before processing is begun, an effective amount of a compound
of component (b) according to claim 1.
11. A process according to claim 9 which comprises
adding 10 to 500 ppm of at least one compound of formula I to XV, according to
claim 1, to a continuous fluid feed stream to deactivate the autocatalytic polymerization,
in any part of the continuous process equipment, of any ethylenically unsaturated
monomer present in the feed stream, and
further adding to said feed stream an additional 10 ppb to 500 ppm of at least
one compound of formula I to XVII as a makeup additive to maintain the desired concentration
of said compound in the fluid feed stream being processed.